Maryland Braces For Snow In October

BALTIMORE (WJZ)– We haven’t seen snowflakes in October for more than three decades! Now, the entire area is preparing for the winter blast.

Meghan McCorkell has more as everyone gets into snow mode.

To give you an idea of how rare snow in October is, just one inch at Baltimore/Washington Airport would make this the second snowiest October day ever.

A fall weather fast-forward. October is not even over yet but winter is on the way.

“It is very unusual,” WJZ Meteorologist Tim Williams said. “It’s not unprecedented. There’s only been three times since the beginning of records that we’ve even had snow. And this could very easily be the biggest of all.”

The last time we saw snow this early was 1979. The most accumulation in October happened back in 1925: 2.5 inches.

One of the big concerns is the leaves are still on the trees. When the snow falls, it could weigh those trees down.

Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) doesn’t expect widespread power outages, but extra crews are on standby.

Sky Eye Chopper 13 also caught road crews gearing up.

“We have a full stock of salt,” Valerie Burnett Edgar of the Maryland State Highway Administration said. “We’ve loaded the trucks. We’ve even called in contractors to alert them that they might be going out. So we are ready.”

People, however, are not ready.

“We have an outdoor wedding to attend, in the snow,” Rebecca Seitz of Baltimore said.

Time to break out the coats and hats, whether you want to or not.

Reporter: “Can you remember the last time in snowed in October?”
Alex Worthington: “No never. Never. It’s a little too soon. I guess it will bring in the holiday season a little earlier.”

Transportation officials warn that with snow and sleet, conditions on the road could rapidly change and become treacherous.

You can call 511 to get the latest update on road conditions before you leave your house.

Meghan McCorkell

Meghan McCorkell joined the Eyewitness News team in July 2011 as a General Assignment Reporter.
She came to Baltimore from Columbus, Ohio where she spent nearly three years at WSYX/WTTE. While there, she traveled to Haiti to cover relief efforts...